Advanced cosmetic color analysis system and methods therefor

ABSTRACT

An advanced cosmetic color analysis system analyzes the color of a three dimensional object to produce a plurality of color values for distinct subsets of a portion of the object, and a cosmetic analyzer combines the color values to produce a cosmetic color determination that has relative weightings of multiple cosmetic colors. Contemplated systems are particularly useful for determination of suitable cosmetic products (or composition thereof) to achieve a particular and desired cosmetic appearance.

This application is a divisional application of allowed application withSer. No. 10/471,898 filed Feb. 9, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,151,851which is national stage entry of PCT/US02/24421, filed Jul. 31, 2002,which claims priority from provisional application 60/309,510, filedJul. 31, 2001, provisional application 60/311,448, filed Aug. 9, 2001,and provisional application 60/322,512, filed Sep. 12, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention is cosmetic color analysis, and especiallyhair color analysis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous systems and methods known in the art to determinecolor of an object, and depending on the particular application or typeof object, color determination methods and systems may varysubstantially. For example, many medical and other scientificapplications prefer hyperspectral imaging, especially where precisemeasurement is necessary. Hyperspectral imaging typically providesspectral analysis (often with a resolution of less than 10 nm) of eachpixel in a field, thereby generating excellent data on the object. Forexample, based on such imaging, tissue demarcations (such as may bepresent in neoplastic or other pathological conditions) may be readilyidentified.

In contrast, all or almost all known cosmetic applications exhibit asignificantly less sophisticated degree of analysis. For example,MacFarlane et al. describe in U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,504 an analytic systemin which color is averaged over an entire field, rather than on apixel-by-pixel basis. Consequently, a major drawback of such systems isthat the processes of averaging frequently provide false readings whereone or more hair is present having different colors. For example, oneperson having some dark brown hair and some white hair would be found tohave the same hair color as another person having all light brown hair.Yet the cosmetic effect of the two would be entirely different.Moreover, the two persons would likely need different hair colorproducts to achieve the same end coloration.

More recent patent applications, WO 01/55956 and U.S. Pat. No.09/493,511 (filed Nov. 3, 2000 and Jan. 28, 2000, respectively, and bothincorporated by reference herein) describe analysis of subsets of afield during cosmetic color analysis of hair or skin. Such systemsadvantageously permit substantially increased accuracy of ‘real-life’color using an ordinary video or other digital camera, as opposed to anexpensive calorimeter. For example, the subsets can be analyzed down toa pixel-by-pixel level, which typically allows the system to compensatefor shading, glare, and other effects.

However, despite improved color analysis, such systems still provideoutput as a single color reading. Therefore, blotchy skin or highlightedareas in an otherwise homogenous hair population will nevertheless bepresented as a single color output. For example, on a descriptive scalethe computed color may be presented as “light blonde”, “auburn”, or“silver”. Alternatively, on a numeric scale the color may be presentedas 1.78, 4.22, or 7.29.

Thus, although there are various methods and systems known in the art todetermine the color of an object, and particularly of a cosmetic object,all or almost all of them suffer from one or more disadvantages.Therefore there is still a need to provide improved methods and systemsfor cosmetic color determination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods and systems in which acollector captures light reflecting off of a three dimensional object asa field of pixels, and in which a color analyzer uses data from thepixels to produce a plurality of color values for each of variousdistinct subsets (comprising more than one pixel) of the field. Acosmetic analyzer combines the color values from the various subsets andproduces a cosmetic color determination that includes relativeweightings of a plurality of cosmetic colors.

In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, the collector includes adigital video camera or a digital still camera. Therefore, it isgenerally preferred that the data from the pixels are RGB or CMYKencoded data (which may further include a hue, saturation, and/orluminance value). It is further preferred that the three dimensionalobject is a single hair, a plurality of hair, and/or a portion of facialskin.

In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, the color analyzercalculates the color values as a frequency of predetermined colorcombinations, and it is contemplated that, among other choices, theplurality of distinct subsets of the field is at least ten distinctsubsets that may or may not be defined by a user, wherein the pixels inthe plurality of distinct subsets of the field are preferablycontiguous. The cosmetic color determination preferably comprisesrelative weightings of between and including two and four cosmeticcolors, wherein the cosmetic color is expressed in a descriptivecosmetic term or in one or more numeric values.

In particularly preferred aspect of the inventive subject matter, thethree dimensional object comprises hair and the cosmetic colordetermination includes an identification of a commercially availablehair coloring product to achieve a predetermined coloration, or includesprediction of a hair color resulting from use of a commerciallyavailable hair coloring product. Alternatively, the cosmetic colordetermination may include calculation of a composition of a haircoloring product to achieve a predetermined coloration (typicallycomprising at least one color and at least one undertone). Where thethree dimensional object comprises a single hair or a strand of hair,and where the cosmetic color determination comprises determination of ahair color distribution or determination of hair condition in the singlehair or strand of hair, it is contemplated that the collector may beoptically coupled to a magnifying device.

In yet further contemplated aspects, the three dimensional object ishair and the cosmetic color determination comprises recommendation of acommercially available customer specific hair care product to achieve adesired outcome, wherein particularly preferred hair care products areconditioners or shampoos (which may even be commercially available froma supplier other than a supplier that provides the system). It is stillfurther contemplated that a storage medium may be electronically coupledto the cosmetic analyzer, wherein the storage medium stores usagehistory, results history, and/or personal data of a user, all of whichmay be used to further personalize and recommend choice of suitableproducts.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with theaccompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic view of a cosmetic color determinationsystem according to the inventive subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor has discovered that significantly improved accuracy andrepresentation of cosmetic color can be produced when computed color ispresented as a plurality of color readings. In a particularly preferredaspect, cosmetic color is determined using a modified system (which maybe marketed under the brand name, COLORMATCH™) similar to that describedin U.S. Ser. No. 09/493,511 and PCT/US00/41879 applications, bothincorporated by reference herein.

Therefore, it is generally preferred that contemplated systems include acollector that captures light as a field of pixels reflecting off of athree dimensional object, a color analyzer that uses data from thepixels to produce a plurality of color values for each of a plurality ofdistinct subsets of the field, wherein each distinct subset comprisesmore than one pixel, and a cosmetic analyzer that combines the pluralityof color values from the subsets to produce a cosmetic colordetermination comprising relative weightings of a plurality of cosmeticcolors.

An exemplary system 100 is schematically depicted in FIG. 1, in which acollector 110 has a field of pixels 112. An optical support system(e.g., magnifying device) 116 may be optically coupled to the collector,and the collector captures light reflecting off of a plurality of hair120. Three distinct subsets 114A, 114B, and 114C of the field of pixelsare analyzed in the color analyzer 130 that uses the data from thepixels to produce a plurality of color values for each of the distinctsubsets of the field. Depending on the particular configuration (seebelow), the format of the plurality of color values may varysubstantially, and FIG. 1 depicts only an exemplary representation ofplurality of color values. Here, in one option 140A, the color of eachindividual pixel in each of the subsets is analyzed using an RGB system.In an alternative option as depicted as 140B, the color of each subsetsis analyzed using an RGB system (e.g., by averaging the color of all ofthe pixels in a particular subset). In a further option, 140C, theaverage color of at least some subsets is analyzed using an RGB system(e.g., by averaging the color of all of selected subsets).

A cosmetic analyzer 150 then calculates cosmetic color (e.g., based onempirical algorithms or on user defined reference values) from the colorvalues of the subsets to produce a cosmetic color determinationcomprising relative weightings of a plurality of cosmetic colors. Oneoption of providing such cosmetic color determination is depicted in160A in which the cosmetic color determination is output as a numericvalues of known cosmetic compositions. Alternatively, as shown in 160B,cosmetic color determination may be output as numeric values of cosmeticterms.

In especially contemplated aspects, the collector is optically coupledto a digital video camera or a digital still camera, and may furtherinclude a light source that emits broad band light. However, it shouldbe recognized that in alternative systems the collector need notnecessarily be coupled to a camera, and suitable devices may include aCCD (charge coupled device) or other optical chip that receives thelight reflected off the three-dimensional object. Similarly, it shouldbe recognized that while a light source is preferably included, the typeand number of suitable light sources may vary considerably. For example,where sufficient ambient light is available, a light source may beomitted altogether. On the other hand, and especially where the lightquality (e.g., spectral composition and/or intensity) variessignificantly, one or more incandescent or luminescent light sources maybe coupled to the collector.

Still further, suitable systems may further include one or more filtersto enhance capture of particularly desirable colors or to block colorsthat are not intended for further analysis. Alternatively, oradditionally, contemplated systems may further comprise a window coupledto the collector, wherein the window may be removable, and/or include acolor calibration region and/or a product identification region. Forexample, one function of the disposable window may be to improve theaccuracy of the collector, color analyzer, and/or some other device byproviding a color calibration region that can be used for calibration(While calibration may be realizable for any component, calibration istypically performed for the image collector or the color analyzer).Thus, it should be recognized that capture of the light reflecting offof the three dimensional object need not be limited to a particularspectral range, and it is contemplated that capture may be performed atone or more individual wavelengths (e.g., with bandwidth of between 1 nmto 20 nm, and more), one or more bands of wavelengths (e.g., UV range[e.g., between 240 nm-360 nm], VIS range [e.g., between 360 nm-740 nm],and/or IR range [e.g., between 740 nm-1040 nm]), and any reasonablecombination thereof.

The process of calibration preferably comprises the image collectorcapturing at least one standardized sample of color from the calibrationregion in the window. From the sample of color, the image collectorcalculates a resultant measurement. The image collector may then becalibrated based on a calculation that includes a comparison between theresultant measurement and a predetermined measurement. Calibration ofthe image collector or other device preferably occurs before everycapture of the three dimensional object. Alternatively, the disposablewindow may also be employed to encourage hygiene. Often the window willcome in contact with a person's face or hair, and the possibility existsthat the window may become dirty or otherwise contaminated. Simplecleaning of the window may be insufficient to remove the dirt orcontamination.

Depending on the particular collector and hard- and software processingthe data from the collector, it is contemplated that the data from thepixels may be encoded in various formats, and all known data formats arecontemplated suitable for use herein. However, in particularly preferredaspects, the data are encoded in an RGB (red-green-blue) system or aCMYK (cyan-magenta-yellow-black) system. Furthermore, it is preferredthat the data further comprise at least one of a hue value, a saturationvalue, and a luminance value.

In further contemplated aspects of the inventive subject matter, it isgenerally preferred that the color analyzer and the cosmetic analyzerare any electronic device capable of performing programmed instructions.Thus, particularly preferred electronic devices include a computer(e.g., desktop, laptop, internal microprocessor chip, etc.) having acolor analyzer (e.g., image analysis software) and the cosmetic analyzer(e.g., database program comparing previously stored reference data withdata provided from image analysis software).

Consequently, in one aspect of the inventive subject matter, theplurality of color values may be calculated on a pixel-by-pixel basisfor each distinct subset, especially where high resolution and/orinformation content is desired. Alternatively, it should be recognizedthat the plurality of color values may be calculated on asubset-by-subset basis, wherein the color values of the pixels in thesubset may first be statistically analyzed (e.g., frequencydistribution, average distribution, median distribution, etc.) beforethe color value for the subset is determined. Such color valuedetermination is particularly useful where the object has relativelyhomogeneous color distribution. In a yet further aspect, the color valuemay be determined on a statistical analysis of more than one subset.

The term “distinct subset” as used herein refers to a plurality ofpixels (i.e., more than one and less than the total number of pixels) inthe field of pixels, wherein the pixels may be randomly distributed orcontiguous. Similarly, it should be recognized that a plurality ofdistinct subsets may be in a predetermined or random location on thefield of pixels. Furthermore, it should also be recognized that theplurality of pixels and/or the distinct subsets of pixels may be userdefined (e.g., via screen output and mouse control). In preferredaspects, the plurality of distinct subsets of the field is at least ten,and more typically at least hundred distinct subsets.

Therefore, it should be recognized that the particular format ofcontemplated color values may vary substantially. For example, where thecolor value is determined on a pixel-by-pixel basis, the color outputmay be in 256-bit color format, high color format (16 bit), or truecolor format (32 bit). Thus, each distinct subset may provide multiplecolor values (corresponding to the number of pixels). Alternatively,where desired, the color values of the pixels in each distinct subsetmay be statistically analyzed (e.g., frequency distribution, averagedistribution, median distribution, etc.) to provide a color value forthe particular distinct subset. In still other aspects, the color valuefor the distinct subset may also be determined as a frequency ofpredetermined color combinations, wherein the predetermined colorcombination may be made on the basis of economical consideration (e.g.,no more than ten variations per commercially available hair tone) orscientific considerations (e.g., capability of the human eye todetermine distinct colors). Still further encoding manners may be foundin “Digital Color Management: Encoding Solutions” by Edward J.Giorgianni and Thomas E. Madden (Prentice Hall PTR; ISBN: 0201634260).

With respect to the cosmetic color determination it is generallycontemplated that the determination will be made at least in part on acomparison of the color values with a set of reference colors. In atypical cosmetic color determination, the color values may be combinedfrom a plurality of pixels and/or distinct subsets to form an averagecolor value, or to form a histogram of color distribution over theselected pixels and/or distinct subsets. Alternatively, the color valuesmay be individually compared on a pixel-by-pixel or subset-by-subsetbasis. The reference colors in contemplated systems may preferably beobtained by measuring the color of known samples (e.g., for hair dyingproduct hair samples dyed with a particular color). Alternatively,reference colors may also be calculated using a theoretical hair model.Comparison of the color values and the reference color may be performedusing numerous models, and it is contemplated that all known colorcomparison methods are contemplated suitable for use herein (see e.g.,“Color Theory and Modeling for Computer Graphics, Visualization, andMultimedia Applications” by Haim Levkowitz, Kluwer Academic Publishers;ISBN: 0792399285).

Regardless the manner of obtaining and comparing the color value withthe reference color, it is contemplated that the cosmetic analyzer uses(e.g., combines) the plurality of color values from the distinct subsetsto produce a cosmetic color determination that has relative weightingsof a plurality of cosmetic colors. The term “cosmetic color” as usedherein refers to an apparent color, used in a cosmetic sense, ratherthan an actual scientific color expressed merely as a reflectance at onewavelength or another. For example, the term “dark blonde” is considereda cosmetic color of a dark blonde hair. Alternatively, a reference to a(standard) hair color nomenclature may be considered as a cosmetic color(e.g., Natural 4), or an absolute numeric value that has acorrespondence to a known hair color (e.g., 1.6 corresponding to mediumbrown). In contrast, a listing of spectral absorbance of a dark blondhair between 360 nm and 740 nm at a 5 nm resolution is not considered acosmetic color under the scope of this definition.

In particularly preferred aspects, the determination has relativeweightings of at least two, and more preferably between two and four(inclusive) cosmetic colors, wherein the cosmetic color is mostpreferably expressed in a descriptive cosmetic term. For example, asuitable cosmetic color determination may provide as output for aparticular hair color as “21% Natural 3, 66% Natural 4, and 13% Natural5”, or “78% medium brown and 22% dark brown”. Similarly, where a visualcalibration scale is available, numeric values may be provided and theoutput may then read as “21% of 1.6, 66% of 1.8, and 13% of 2.2”.

Furthermore, the nature of the three dimensional object need not belimited to a particular object so long as the object is substantiallythree dimensional. The term “substantially three dimensional” as usedherein refers to any object having a length, width, and depth. Forexample, a single hair, or strand of hair is considered a threedimensional object because a single hair or strand of hair has aparticular length, width, and depth. In contrast, a photographic image(e.g., Polaroid picture) of a single hair or strand of hair is notconsidered a three dimensional object since the hair or strand of hairin the photographic image lacks depth. Consequently, particularlysuitable three dimensional objects include animate objects, and/orobjects grown or otherwise attached to animate objects, and are mostpreferably selected from the group consisting of a hair, a plurality ofhair, and a portion of facial skin. Depending on the particular size ofthe three dimensional object (or on the desired degree of detail), it isespecially contemplated that the collector in contemplated devices maybe optically coupled to a magnifying device (e.g., microscope, zoomlens, etc.).

In particularly preferred aspects of the inventive subject matter, thethree dimensional object comprises hair and the cosmetic colordetermination further comprises identification of a commerciallyavailable hair coloring product to achieve a predetermined coloration,or the three dimensional object comprises hair and the cosmetic colordetermination further includes prediction of a hair color resulting fromuse of a commercially available hair coloring product. In yet furtherpreferred aspects, the three dimensional object comprises hair and thecosmetic color determination further comprises calculation of acomposition of a hair coloring product to achieve a predeterminedcoloration. Such calculation may be especially advantageous where thecomposition of the hair coloring product includes at least one color andan undertone to assist a user in finding a suitable composition for adesired result.

In still further preferred aspects, the three dimensional objectcomprises a single hair or a strand of hair, and the cosmetic colordetermination further comprises determination of a hair colordistribution in the single hair or strand of hair. Where only a few, oreven a single hair is measured using contemplated systems, it should berecognized that the cosmetic analyzer may combine the plurality of colorvalues from the subsets to produce a hair condition determination. Forexample, a typical hair condition determination may includedetermination of waviness, curliness, thickness, texture, condition,and/or integrity of at least one hair. Consequently, it is contemplatedthat the cosmetic color determination may also encompass recommendationof a commercially available customer-specific hair care product (e.g.,conditioner or a shampoo, which may even be commercially available froma supplier other than the supplier that provides the system) to achievea desired outcome.

In yet another preferred aspect, contemplated cosmetic analyzers mayfurther include a storage medium that is electronically coupled to thecosmetic analyzer, wherein the storage medium stores various parametersassociated with a user and or a cosmetic product. For example, it iscontemplated that user data may include usage history and/or resultshistory, while product information may include availability, crossreferences to a competitor's product, etc.

In one exemplary use, the field is preferably captured using a colorvideo camera, and then analyzed according to pixel subsets, and possiblyeven on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Software then determines which pixelsrelate to the same hair, what the color is of each hair, and therelative amounts of each hair. Alternatively, color could be determinedfor each pixel or other subset, and then the amounts of each color areadded together to provide a final result.

For example, as opposed to its COLORMATCH™ predecessor, the currentlycontemplated hair color analyzer will provide a plurality of responsescorresponding to individual hair colors in which the magnitude ofindividual responses will depend on relative representation of standard(signature) colors in the image, and wherein the standard colors can bedefined in advance based on color swatch book provided by hair colormanufacturers (e.g. Aveda™ Full Spectrum book. The signature colors canbe measured using COLORMATCH™ calibration package and stored in aCOLORMATCH™ database), or any other suitable means.

Once the camera captures a hair image, the hair color analyzer can scanindividual pixels and compare the camera readings against signature datacontained in the database. For each pixel a closest match will provide aunit response in the hair color spectrum. Upon completion of the imagescan, the spectrum will represent a cumulative picture of how oftenvarious signature colors have been encountered in the captured image.For example, if only Natural 6 color is present in the image all unitresponses will be accumulated in a corresponding bin of the hair colorspectrum and it will have a single peak at this particular color. On theother hand should Natural 5, 6 and 7 colors be present in certainproportion the unit responses would be accumulated in corresponding binsand three nonzero peaks in the spectrum will be observed.

After the hair color spectrum is constructed, a decision will be madeusing a maximum likelihood principle or other statistical method onwhether (a) a single color dominates all the others, (b) several similarcolors are present simultaneously and in comparable proportions (e.g.40% of Natural 7 and 50% of Ash 7), and/or (c) several dissimilar colorsare present (e.g. 60% of Natural 4 and 25% of Natural 8). This case islikely to occur if the hair color is highly inhomogeneous due tohighlights or gray hair. In addition to the above capabilities the haircolor analyzer may also incorporate interference reduction algorithmssimilar to those used in the COLORMATCH™ package. The purpose of thosealgorithms is to recognize and to remove from the image pixels havingcolor non-characteristic for the hair (e.g. skin color) so that only thehair color is analyzed.

In yet another exemplary use of contemplated systems, a customer usesthe contemplated system to determine his or her starting hair color andundertone. From the available hair colors choices represented by boxpictures and/or hair swatches on the retail store shelf, the customerselects and then inputs his or her desired hair color and undertoneresult into the system. The contemplated system will then not onlyrecommend the correct box of hair color to purchase, but will alsoprescribe the type and quantity of undertone that the customer must mixinto the purchased color formula based on previously stored referencedata.

One especially attractive embodiment of such coloring systems, wouldinclude a container that dispenses undertone dyes by turning a dial.Each times the dial clicks, one dose of undertone has been dispensed,and the container has been resealed again to guard against oxidation ofremaining undertone. This will ensure that the correct quantity has beenadded and will guard against mistakes. Another embodiments might includea simple dropper to dispense the undertone dye.

Thus, contemplated systems will determine a person's starting haircolor(s) in an early step in the hair coloring process. Armed with thisdata, and coupled with the knowledge of the specific hair color andundertone that the person desires, a customized color formulation can beprepared to change the person's specific starting hair color to thedesired color and shade. In contrast, currently, manufacturers of“at-home” hair color kits that are sold in retail stores offer limitedassortment of up to 40 color and undertones (shade) choices. Thislimited and static choice of colors means that most users will not beable to achieve the hair colors that are shown in the pictures thatadorn the hair color boxes, the pictures on the hair color boxes do notguarantee actual results, since typically only people with specificstarting hair color and undertone can achieve the results shown on theboxes.

For example, someone with a predominance of red undertones in their haircannot achieve the natural blonde result that a box of #9 hair color mayshowcase. If this user applied the Natural #9 level hair color, his orher red undertones will produce blonde hair with reddish tint. To matchthe desired box color, one must add Ash undertone to the Natural #9 haircolor to counteract the existing reddish undertone, which is typicallyonly done in professional hair salons and has generally not beenavailable to retail customers of “at-home” hair color, primarily becauseit has been extremely difficult for a non-professional to estimate thetype and quantity of undertone that users require for their individualstarting hair color, and in relation to their desired hair color andshade.

It is further contemplated that suitable systems will readilyincorporate a relational database of hair color formulations to itsexisting hair color determination system to spell out the correctformulations for various hair color and undertone starting points, anddifferent desired hair colors and shades. Among other things, such adatabase may register the specific formulations for each of the existing30-40 SKU of hair color that are being sold in retail stores, andcoordinate that information with possible starting hair colors andshades. Formulas can be used to predict which of the retail productsshould be used with which amounts of undertone in each instance Asignificant advantage is that all of this can be done without expandingthe existing number of products on the shelf.

Consequently, a manufacturer using contemplated systems should have asignificant competitive advantage in the market place. Not only does thesystem guard against most user mistakes, but it can also provide resultsthat are likely close to those of professional hair salons having welltrained and experienced colorists. Moreover, it is expected that thissystem (a) will stimulate trial, usage and experimentation amongexisting and new users, among other things because it makes the use ofundertone additives easy, safe, and reliable; (b) will draw and convertcompetitor's customers; and/or (c) will draw and convert someprofessional hair salon customers or encourage salon customers to usecontemplated systems as an interim solution in between visits. Whenemployed in a professional setting, contemplated systems will providegreater predictability and reproducibility. It also empowers junior andexperienced colorists to work more confidently and faster.

Still another advantage is that a manufacturer need not make any costlychanges to its currently marketed product line. It will thus save thecost of replacing, transitioning and re-launching product. Themanufacturer simply adds a few undertone SKUs to its product line, andin the process exponentially increases the possible range of colorformulations and results.

It should be especially recognized that numerous benefits arise from theuse of contemplated systems. For example, in addition to analyzing thecolor of the hair as a whole, multiple subset analysis can be used todetermine color of individual strands or even portions of strands. Amongother things, such information may be useful in limiting or expanding alist of realistic color choices. A particularly useful variant may be toelectronically identify a portion of hair that is close to the scalp,and then determine how the coloration of that portion differs from otherportions of the hair. In that manner one could identify the “naturalcolor” of a person's hair and determine if user's hair has beenpreviously colored; regrowth of natural hair color appears at the rootand close to the scalp and if its color(s) differs from the rest of thehair, it can be surmised that user's hair had previously been colored.Subsequently, comparing and contrasting the colors at the root with therest of the hair will determine the best course of action for recoloringhair. For example, if the hair was previously colored blonde and theregrowth at the root is black, the system will determine that to colorthe regrowth blonde, requires double-processing and simply applyingblonde color will produce poor results. This will prevent incorrectproduct use and customer mistakes.

Moreover, by analyzing individual strands, one can also obtain apercentage of gray hair versus non-gray hair. Since gray hair may reactdifferently from non-gray hair to various colorants, knowing thepercentage of gray hair can be useful in choosing among colorants,processes, and so forth. Such information can also be important inmaking a threshold choice among colorants as a function of whether oneis trying to change the hair color, or merely trying to “cover” the grayhair. Yet another possibility is that the knowledge of the amount ofgray hair may help determine a subset of hair colorants that areappropriate or inappropriate for an individual user.

In another example, multiple subset analysis can be used to determinateto condition of hair, including texture, thickness, waviness, curliness,and so forth, which can be achieved by electronically identifyingportions of individual strands, and then estimating the directionalityand thickness of such strands. Furthermore, through electronic oroptical magnification, the condition of individual strands of hair canbe determined. For example, it is possible to identify split ends andstrand breakage. The outer sheath of the hair can also be examined todevelop information about the sheen, texture, and other characteristicsof the hair.

In a further example, it is contemplated to use data secured throughmultiple subset analysis to recommend hair care products, including forexample shampoos and conditioners. Among contemplated scenarios, asystem may determine that a customer's hair has been colored with redundertones, and may therefore recommend a shampoo that enhances andmaintains the red undertones in the hair. In another possibility, asystem may determine that a customer's hair requires a high degree ofchemical processing to deliver the desired result and may thereforerecommend a special conditioner to hydrate and condition the hair. Inyet another possibility, a system may determine that a customer's hairhas microscopic damage to individual strands, and may thereforerecommend a polymer containing conditioner. Depending on the sheen ofthe hair, a system may recommend a shampoo having greater or lesser oilcontent.

In yet another example, contemplated systems may be adapted to theexperience and particular product line(s) of a given vendor. Forexample, a vendor would choose to have the system make recommendationswith respect to its own colorants, hair care, and other products.However, under certain circumstances contemplated systems may also makerecommendations with respect to products of a competing vendor. Thus, asystem funded by CLAIROL™ could make recommendations to both CLAIROL™and L'OREAL™ products. More likely, however, a system funded by a givenvendor would query a user about a previously used or contemplatedcompetitor's product, and then make a recommendation to use anequivalent product from its own product line.

It is also contemplated that a company may want to avoid the cost ofinstalling and maintaining systems such as those set forth herein, ormay want to take advantage of a system installed by another for someother reason. In such cases one may advantageously provide across-reference product guide that would cross-sell a different productline from than recommended by the system. Thus, if a competitor wantedto take advantage of a previously installed hair color determinationsystem, the competitor might provide a printed or electroniccross-reference chart that would recommend the competitor's products inplace of the computer-recommended products.

In a still further example, and especially where contemplated systemsare used to capture and store usage and results history for individualcustomers, it is contemplated that a customer may have uncolored hairwith a color value of 5, and the system may recommend a particularproduct. That information can be stored in a database, and over timesuch information from numerous consumers can be used to track customerchoices for marketing purposes. Furthermore, a customer may apply aproduct, and then return for a follow up analysis. The follow up can beperformed in any suitable time frame, including shortly after applyingthe product, up to several months later, or both. The system could thendevelop a database regarding the effects of particular products on anindividual's hair, and use that information in recommending specificproducts. For example, if a system knew that a particular person's hairtook dark color very poorly, or perhaps was extremely resistant tobleaching, that information may be extremely useful in suggesting that acustomer limit her choices of future products or procedures to aparticular subset that avoids problematic choices.

Some or all of this information may be stored locally or distally withrespect to the system. It may be advantageous, for example, to store theinformation on a national or cross-national database, and then providecustomers with their personal information through the Internet or othernetwork. Such information could be used to help educate a customer as towhy particular results were obtained, with respect to cross-selling andnew products, and so forth. Of particular interest is the possibility ofindividualized on-line accounts, where a customer can access hercoloring history to learn specifically what products are suitable forher individualized needs and characteristics, learn about hair coloringin general, experiment with digital examples of possible new hairstyles, colors, and so forth. Cross-selling of other products is alsocontemplated, especially but not necessarily with respect to beautyproducts.

Vendors can also make indirect use of historical hair coloringinformation in their marketing, and research and development efforts.For example, if a vendor learns through the database that very fewpeople on a percentage basis change from hair color A to hair color B,then it might be wise to devote only very limited resources to thatparticular color change. In another possibility, if a vendor learnsthrough the database that a very large subset of customers have notachieved satisfactory results when attempting to change from color C tocolor F, then it might be wise to reconsider its product line and targetmore resources to specific new products and formulations.

Similarly, contemplated systems may be adapted to include personalinformation that is useful in making product recommendations, marketing,and follow up. For example, a system may seek information regarding acustomer's gender, ethnic background, age, skin tone, eye color, and soforth. That information can be very useful in making productrecommendations because they affect the coloration properties of hair.Alternatively or additionally, such information can be used inrecommending shampoos, conditioners, and so forth, as well as productsother than hair care products.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of improved cosmetic colordetermination systems have been disclosed. It should be apparent,however, to those skilled in the art that many more modificationsbesides those already described are possible without departing from theinventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, isnot to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, allterms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistentwith the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising”should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps ina non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements,components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with otherelements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

1. A method of customizing a hair colorant for a customer, comprising:acquiring light reflecting off of a three dimensional object as a fieldof pixels; calculating a plurality of color values for each of aplurality of distinct subsets of the field using data from the pixels,wherein each distinct subset comprises more than one pixel; andcombining the plurality of color values from the subsets to produce acosmetic color determination comprising relative weightings of aplurality of cosmetic colors.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein acquiringthe light is performed using at least one of a band of wavelengthsbetween 240 nm-360 nm, a band of wavelengths between 360 nm-740, and aband of wavelengths between 740 nm-1040 nm.
 3. The method of claim 1wherein acquiring the light is performed at one or more individualwavelengths with bandwidth of between 1 nm to 20 nm, and with awavelength of between 240 nm and 1040 nm.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein the data from the pixels are encoded in an RGB system or a CMYKsystem, and wherein the data further comprise at least one of a huevalue, a saturation value, and a luminance value.
 5. The method of claim1 wherein the plurality of color values is calculated as a frequency ofpredetermined color combinations.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein thecosmetic color determination comprises relative weightings of betweenand including two and four cosmetic colors.
 7. The method of claim 1wherein the three dimensional object is selected from the groupconsisting of a hair, a plurality of hair, and a portion of facial skin.8. The method of claim 1 wherein the three dimensional object compriseshair and wherein the cosmetic color determination further comprisesidentification of a commercially available hair coloring product toachieve a predetermined coloration.
 9. The method of claim 1 wherein thethree dimensional object comprises hair and wherein the cosmetic colordetermination further comprises prediction of a hair color resultingfrom use of a commercially available hair coloring product.
 10. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the three dimensional object comprises hairand wherein the cosmetic color determination further comprisescalculation of a composition of a hair coloring product to achieve apredetermined coloration.
 11. The method of any one of claim 8, claim 9,or claim 10 wherein the composition of the hair coloring productincludes at least one color and an undertone.